Gray Panthers Captain Short Blade (18 page)

The Phoenix, en route to Earth

27 April 2129

Short Blade wasn’t sure how he wanted to proceed. When he hired Poland to rebuild the Beater, he would like to keep him once the project was done, but the only permanent job he could think of to offer him was to be the captain of the Phoenix, since he himself would take personal command of the Beater when it was once again mission-ready. He had pretty much offered the position to the guys, but neither of them seemed excited at the prospect of commanding the shuttle.

“Can I get you anything?” Namid asked as she poked her head into the cockpit. Her eyes locked on the view screen. Inside the wormhole it was just an abstract grayness, and no two people who tried to describe it came close to each other’s description—other than the color gray.

“That is so beautiful. Thank you again for letting me join your ranch crew. Have you given any thought to expanding your operation so there’d be a ranch near every major city? You’d cut down on shipping costs, and you could market each ranch with its own brand specific to that area, to improve customer loyalty. Oh, look, you can see space if you look just right.”

“Two hours until we reach the Earth breach and can exit the wormhole,” Phoenix announced via the ship’s speakers. Short Blade looked up at Namid and was amused at how excited she was by every aspect of space travel.

“Come sit next to me as we get ready to enter Earth’s space. It can be really pretty at times. If we’re not in the center of the breach when we exit the wormhole, we make our own rainbow-like stream through space.”

Namid just nodded and watched the breach seem to grow as they got closer. Unconsciously, she reached over and grabbed his paw as she sat transfixed by the view. The closer they got to the breach, the tighter her grip became. The view seemed to swirl and finally changed to stars and black space.

“Unidentified ship, please identify yourself!” blasted from the ship’s speakers. More than a hundred defense batteries were visible in all directions on the monitor.

“This is the shuttle Phoenix, en route to Earth. Request permission to enter Earth space, and an approved heading for Earth.”

Short Blade was relieved when he was immediately granted clearance and a pilot shuttle appeared for him to follow through the defenses.

“So Namid, where would you like me to drop you off?”

“If you can drop me off at my farm, I can contact friends to get around from there. I need to see about getting some pharmaceutical supplies for the ranch. Is there anything you’d like me to get while we’re here?”

“I believe Jimmy and Guns would like to restock their liquor cache. The chef unit doesn’t produce the same effect as the real thing. Figure out what would be an adequate amount for normal humans for three months, and then multiply it by ten. I believe bourbon and beer are their favorites. Phoenix, did we get a reply from Commander Poland? Do we have a location for him?”

“Sir, there was no reply from Commander Poland, so I performed a search for him on the media outlets. It appears that around the time the war was ending, he lost his wife, children, and grandchildren. They were on a bus that collided with a semi truck hauling fuel. There were no survivors. He attended a communal funeral, and after that he vanished. I’ve tracked him down by his comm device, since he’s still online. His current location is in the North American continent, in the United States of America, in the state of Nevada, in the city of Las Vegas.”

“Why not just say he’s in Vegas? You know I’m familiar with the planet. After we drop Namid off at her farm in California, we’ll go to Nellis AFB and request permission to land there. It will have adequate security to leave the ship unattended.”

“Sir, I’ve just requested clearance to enter Earth’s atmosphere, with a direct heading for California and the farm. Do you wish any deviation, or have any additional instructions before we arrive?”

              Short Blade was surprised at how quickly they’d arrived and mentally kicked himself for not monitoring what was going on more closely.

“Engage the main view screen so Namid can watch as we enter the atmosphere and make the trip to her farm. Thank you, Phoenix.”

              Namid clutched his paw again as she watched the Earth growing larger on the screen. Short Blade laughed to himself as he watched Namid’s animated expression. Then he turned his attention to planning the rest of the trip.

              “Namid, how much space will you need for the supplies we’re taking back to the ranch?”

“I should only need about half the space in cargo bay two,” she replied without looking away from the monitor.

“Okay. Fill the rest of the cargo bay with beer and bourbon. Oh, and be sure to get some tequila for Juan and Ralph. I heard them mention that they don’t know how they’ve managed without it. Will you have enough credits for everything, and will you need anything else after I drop you off?”

“I’m good, thanks. Jimmy gave me his Gray Panthers credit card. Will you be filling number one cargo hold with treasure for the trip home? You remind me of the Yankee traders from Earth’s history, sailing the high seas from continent to continent, trading exotic spices, cloths, and anything they could buy cheap and sell high.”

“Humans have had an effect on me. I admit, some of my values have changed. I do look for opportunities to make a trade. I still won’t break my word or dishonor my family name, though. It’s time to land. Phoenix, have you added Namid’s comm device to the Earth network?”

“The comm device was automatically added when the network on Glory performed its routine updates with Earth. Every planet that is part of the Gray Panthers network has been updated with her comm device. Sir, the landing area is clear. Should I land now?”

“Go ahead, Phoenix. After Namid exits, we’ll continue on to Nellis AFB. Have you secured permission to land there?”

“Initially, permission was not approved. They thought it was a joke, until I contacted the Air Force liaison officer at Gray Panthers HQ. He made it clear to the staff at Nellis that they are to provide every assistance requested.”

“Uh, Phoenix, we may be associated with the Gray Panthers, but technically we aren’t a Gray Panthers shuttle.”

“I stand corrected. Would you like me to contact Nellis and tell them not to allow us to land, sir?”

Short Blade remembered how Captain Johnson used to always seem to be having a fight of some kind with the AI on the Beater.

“No, Phoenix, you did well. But in the future, let’s try not to say we’re part of the Gray Panthers, if we can help it.” Short Blade smiled, understanding now why Johnson was always exasperated with the AI. He peered at the monitor. The farm buildings seemed to be the same height as the shuttle.

“Shuttle has landed. Engines and potential dangers for exiting the shuttle have been abated.” Phoenix announced.

Namid let go of Short Blade’s paw and rose to leave the cockpit.

“Thank you for adding me to your company, Short Blade. Could I possibly get training to become part of a ship’s crew?”

“Um, I’ll think about that, Namid.”

Short Blade watched her as she stepped off the shuttle.

“When she’s clear of the shuttle, let’s get the hell out of here, Phoenix!”
What am I going to do with that human? She’s good with my cattle, but I don’t need her in space!
Short Blade mused. He’d leave it for either Jimmy or Guns to deal with. Delegate the problem, that was the way to do it! The hatch slid closed and he strolled back to the cockpit. His mood changed for the better when he thought about seeing Commander Poland again.

“Sir, do you want me to contact the Orient Hotel and have guest services provide a limousine and personal protection for when you leave the air force base?”

The question from the AI made Short Blade wince. Once again, Phoenix had anticipated what he had planned to do and beat him to it.

“Yes, Phoenix, you can coordinate that with the hotel.”

Investing in the hotel chain has been one of the best investments I’ve made,
he thought.
Perhaps I should look at even more investments on Earth.

“How are we looking with ground control going to Nellis? Any problems I should know about?”

“There was some confusion with the district air controller about us clearing customs. The government never updated responsibilities for incoming flights from off-world. The government has relied on the Gray Panthers for that. I explained that we’re associated with the Gray Panthers, and that satisfied them. Since no one else besides the Gray Panthers has arrived on the planet, it made it an easy explanation. I’ve just been turned over to Nellis control for landing. I estimate we’ll be on the ground in ten minutes. The Orient has confirmed that a limousine is already en route to the base with a three-man security detail.”

“Um, ah, good job, Phoenix. While we’re here on Earth, is there anything you require?” Short Blade inquired, again feeling a little embarrassed at how the AI almost seemed to be in charge.

“I won’t require anything on this trip. I’ve contacted the limousine driver and given him the street address where Commander Poland is located. I used his comm device to get his location. He’s in an area of northern Las Vegas that is considered dangerous by local standards. I suggest you take your personal weapons, even with a security detail. I’ll be monitoring you with faeries in case there’s trouble.”

The new information startled Short Blade. He already considered most humans dangerous, so for Phoenix to suggest being armed even with a security detail made him feel a little anxious.

“I’m at the assigned location the controllers gave me to park. Should I shut down engines?” Phoenix asked. Short Blade acknowledged the request and then had an idea.

“Phoenix, after I exit the shuttle, have two droids stand at the entrance to the shuttle as if they are guarding it. Other than that, assume standard security protocols until I return.”

The hatch opened for Short Blade when he reached it and he continued toward the tarmac. The group waiting to welcome him included the wing commander, a brigadier general wearing a crumpled flight suit, and a couple of lieutenant colonels wearing blue uniforms.

“Welcome to Nellis Air Force Base. I’m General Bill Walker, the wing commander. If there’s anything I can do to assist you while you’re here, please do not hesitate to let me know.”

Walker was initially unimpressed with the small lion-like creature standing in front of him wearing blue jeans and what could pass for a brown air force A2 leather jacket, except it had an additional set of arms. The alien’s holstered pistol wasn’t like anything he’d seen before, but he resisted the urge to ask to see it.

“Thank you, General Walker. I appreciate your offer. My ship needs no maintenance and it has an automated security system, so I won’t require any support.”

The general took a step back in astonishment as two droids marched out of the hatchway and positioned themselves on either side of the hatch as it closed.

“I could use a lift to the front gate,” Short Blade continued. “I have a limousine waiting for me there. I hope to be back today to depart, but there are variables that might make it necessary for me to spend the night. Would that be a problem, General Walker?”

“Will your ship’s security pose any threat to my airmen or my flight operations, Mr. Short Blade?” Walker asked. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the droids.

“General, the droids pose no threat in any way to your people or your operations. My Gray Panthers have continued the tradition of carrying round metal objects. I’d be honored if you would accept one from me,” Short Blade said as he pulled a pair of coins from his pocket. Each had the Gray Panthers’ patch on one side, and on the other side was an image of the Phoenix.

Walker accepted the coins and appreciated the fact that the Gray Panthers had retained the tradition of calling the coins “round metal objects,” as the Air Force did. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pewter coin and handed it to Short Blade. On the front was the base’s motto, Home of the Fighter Pilot, with engravings of fighter aircraft. The back had an Air Force patch engraved on it.

“Thank you again for the warm reception and the use of the parking spot, General. I must leave now. Could I impose on you for a ride to the gate?”

Short Blade liked the general well enough, but he had to get moving. The general nodded and headed toward a blue car with a white roof. The general got behind the wheel and Short Blade climbed into the front passenger seat. On the floor between them was a collection of radios, all of them turned on. Short Blade wondered how the general distinguished one from another. When the general noticed his guest looking at the radios, he smiled and answered the unasked question.

“I spent six years as a forward air controller. That’s how I can listen to all those radios at one time. I could turn off half of them, but it keeps everyone on their toes, knowing that I care enough to monitor what’s going on. You can hear on the security force’s radio that you’re already keeping them busy. Tourists are trying to see your shuttle from the gates. We’ll have conspiracy theorists explaining your visit for a while to come, I’m sure.”

“I’m sorry for the distraction from your normal day, General Walker. If there was an alternative, I would use it—”

“It’s been an interesting break in the routine,” the general interrupted. “Perhaps before you leave I could get a tour of your ship?”